sunday bits

What a gorgeous day it's been today! One of those perfect sunny autumnal days that you want to last forever....
This post is a bit of a catch up, as finding time to take photos seems difficult at the moment, but I'm hoping to get back on track soon. It's been interesting reading how people find time for their blogs and I've been getting some tips here. I'd love to know how you all fit it into your day?

I'm reading this lovely Cath Kidston book, which also looks pretty on my sewing room shelf amongst the jam jars of buttons.
I've been busy sewing away and my desk is currently covered in floral fabrics, ribbons and sketch books.



Blue stripy bunting that I made for a new shop opening... (more on that soon)



...Cup of tea with my mum in her sunny kitchen, don't you love this pale blue teapot. And finally picking lots and lots of cooking apples. We are storing some for the winter and I've been making quite a few apple crumbles. x

this & that...

 

A few photos from the last few days, a summery display of vintage bits on my mantelpiece. I absolutely love the marigolds oil painting by Pauline Vincent, one of my favourites artists.

The Pink Carnations are from our local farm shop, I seem to buy a bunch every time we visit as they are really cheap and last ages.

 

A cup of tea while I'm reading Pretty Pastel Style, I've finally got myself a copy.

 

Do you remember those garden flower cigarette cards I found in a charity shop, well they were featured in the lovely Pretty Nostalgic magazine this month. It's a great magazine full of vintage inspiration.

 

These Hollyhocks grow by the side of my mum's house, they remind me of summer in the garden. I think I take a picture of them every year.

follow found and sewn on bloglovin

Just a quick post to let you know Google Reader is shutting down on July 1st.

So if you use Google Reader to follow me, consider switching over to Bloglovin' to keep up to date with all my new posts. I have recently switched, which is really easy to do and I now use it to follow all my favourite blogs.

Hopefully see you there for tea and cake! 

found and sewn on bloglovin

a perfect sunday in oxford

 

Last Sunday I met with five other lovely bloggers: Natasha, Hannah, Dina, Dulcie and Zoe, who all have amazing blogs.

 

Natasha had arranged for us all to meet up in Oxford for a day of sightseeing, photography, lots of chatting and finally to end the day with the most luxurious high tea at the beautiful Randolph Hotel. Surrounded by chandeliers, old paintings and even a grand piano, we talked about what inspires us, vintage fashion, photography and lots more, all with plenty of tea and cake, what could be better!

 

It was so much fun meeting up and spending the day with these ladies.

Thanks everyone, I can't wait to meet up again soon xx

  

happy 2013

Happy New Year!

We saw the new year in with a group of friends at our local pub, sat by the fire, twinkly candle lights, drinking champagne, clinking glasses and lots of laughing, it was a great way to spend new years eve.

It's traditional to go for a long walk on new years day, so that's what we did. After a hearty breakfast, we got wrapped up, wellies on, and off out across the park. The rest of the day I've been drinking tea and watching Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, which I love, and the perfect lazy afternoon film.

 

Thanks for visiting my blog during 2012, it really wouldn't be the same without you x

all that glitters...

A few shots from the last few days.....a little bit of calm, warm autumn light, white hyacinths waiting to flower, a messy workroom and a slight obsession with glitter.

 

the queen's diamond jubilee

To join in the celebrations for the Queens Diamond Jubilee I have been putting up union jack bunting around the house and I'll be drinking tea and eating cake all day in honour of the Queen!

Tomorrow we are off to a local street party, where there will be a beer festival, craft stalls, barbecues and bands playing.... sounds like a prefect way to spend a day of work.

Thank you Ma'am.

summer house studio

Every year in May I take part in Oxfordshire Artweeks, I set up my exhibition yesterday in a summer house studio at my parents house. This photo is from last year and I'm hoping for some of that sunshine and less rain! I have a new collection of handmade bags, purses and accessories, as well as handmade cards and lavender bags for sale. Our little garden cafe will be open too, serving tea and cakes using our collection of vintage china. The exhibition runs from May 5th - 13th. 12pm -6pm.

Please leave a comment to let me know if you would like details for my exhibition, I would love to see you there.

simple florals

I've been house sitting, looking after my mum's cat for a few days and took these photos of the little garden 'beach hut' yesterday,  it's had a spring clean ready for the summer and looks lovely at the moment...we use it to serve tea and cakes in during my open studio exhibition which is coming up in May. I think secretly we both love the idea of having our own little cafe, if only to have an excuse to buy more vintage china.

a few things....

A few things from the month of February...

.... making baked apples with cinnamon cream from a new book 'The Vintage Tea Party' I might try these scones next....

...an old suitcase which I plan to cover in Liberty fabric stacked up with books and magazines ...

...a month without chocolate would just never happen...these one are very special...

tea and lavender

Here are a few more photos from my show....you can never have too much bunting

 These little lavender bags made using vintage fabrics and Cotswold lavender smelt lovely as you walked into the summer house.

 my mum's cat was keeping an eye on everything and thought all the comfy cushions and chairs were for her.

Enjoy your bank holiday weekend.

open studio exhibition

 My open studio exhibition finished on Sunday, thanks to everyone who came to see my work. I was really pleased with how the week went and it was nice to talk to everyone, I enjoyed hearing about all the weddings and other occasions that my bags and purses were bought for. I had some lovely comments and it was great that people appreciated the vintage fabrics, lace and buttons that I use.  

 One thing I love about a show is creating an atmosphere around my work by using my favourite vintage finds, like my stockman, Singer sewing machine and sewing box.

 My Singer sewing machine which belonged to my great grandmother got a lot of attention.

The garden again proved to be a popular place to enjoy a cup of tea and some home made cake.

I've got so many more photos of the week to share with you now all the hard work is over.